Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about women. When I turned 30, I cried. I cried for what I thought was the loss of my youth and all that (I thought) that meant. 30 always sounded so old and I didn’t feel old, but now here I was. Old. After I got over myself (I mean, really. I’m not a dramatic person so I’m not sure what exactly caused me to flip out like that) I realized that I have never been so comfortable with myself. I’m more confident, I know what I like and what I don’t. I’m not afraid to say no to doing things I don’t want to. I am still madly in love with my husband and I have an awesome kid who is pretty much the greatest. In short: I freakin’ rule.

The more I talked with other moms who were over 30, the more I realized that this was a feeling we all could relate to. While we’re not as young as we used to be, we have gained so much more. Our bodies have carried and birthed babies, started businesses, gone back to school, run marathons, traveled the world, seen life and death.

As I was talking about this with my friend Mandey, we started talking about doing portraits that celebrated this confidence and comfortableness (totally a made up word). We set a date and drove 3 hours out to Nevada City. We had brunch and watched the Constitution Day parade, then headed to the Yuba River. I’d been twice before and each time was a renewing and calming experience. There’s something magical about that river, let me tell you.

When we got home and I started going through the pictures, I couldn’t believe how gorgeous they turned out. I mean, yes, the location is beautiful, and my subject is beautiful, but there is a feeling in these…something I can’t quite put my finger on…something that I feel deep down. I hope you can feel it too.

If you’re a mom who is comfortable in your own skin and wants to celebrate your body…the body that has done amazing things and continues to do amazing things…get in touch. I’d love to talk to you about a session that’s about you.